Islamabad Express derails hours after inauguration

The newly launched Islamabad Express derailed near Sohawa just two hours after its inauguration due to a technical fault, leaving several passengers slightly injured though no fatalities were reported.

The train, which was inaugurated by Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi at 5.30pm derailed around 7.30pm near the hilly tracks of Sohawa with a loud crash.

The coaches were badly damaged, and rail traffic remained suspended on both tracks for three hours.

Railway unions claimed the Islamabad Express was composed of old, discarded coaches that were refurbished and repainted to appear new.

They said safety equipment was unavailable, and despite repeated requests, essential material ensuring passenger safety remained in short supply.

The Divisional Superintendent of Railways, Rawalpindi, said that upon receiving reports of the accident, engineers and technical staff were immediately dispatched to the site.

Teams from Jhelum and Sohawa also joined the operation, clearing the track after three hours.

An internal inquiry has been launched into the derailment.

Passengers Arshad Ali and Rustam said the train's speed had slowed as it entered the hilly section near Sohawa and strange sounds were coming from underneath before the coaches derailed.

"It felt like an earthquake," they recalled. Fortunately, all passengers remained safe.

Three senior railway officials, including the Chief Mechanical Engineer and Chief Engineer, reached the site on Friday to conduct an inquiry, with a report expected in the next couple of days.

Railway sources said the track in the area already had serious alignment issues known to higher authorities.

The derailment occurred because the rail wheel slipped off due to a misaligned junction point.